Holidays

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank seeks turkey donations as Thanksgiving nears

The local food bank is calling for donations of $25 to “Adopt-A-Turkey” for a local family in need

 

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski takes a selfie with Rose Burke at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Burke won the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington, D.C., in December to light the tree. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Connections student to light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Rose Burke, 9, won the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington D.C.

 

A pumpkin tumbles from a plane above the Kenai Airpark near Kenai, Alaska, during the Sixth Annual Kenai Aviation Pumpkin Drop on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pumpkins dropped at annual aviation showcase

Kenai Aviation puts on 6th annual Pumpkin Drop

 

Pumpkins wait to be dropped from planes for the entertainment of people during Kenai Aviation’s Fifth Annual Pumpkin Drop at the Kenai Municipal Airport Operations Building in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Costumes, pumpkins and seasonal scares

Peninsula packs October with Halloween events

Pumpkins wait to be dropped from planes for the entertainment of people during Kenai Aviation’s Fifth Annual Pumpkin Drop at the Kenai Municipal Airport Operations Building in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating Independence in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Fourth of July Parade

The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Poppies are affixed to wreaths during a Memorial Day ceremony at Leif Hanson Memorial Park in Kenai on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Remembering the sacrifices of the fallen

Speakers ask community to be inspired through sacrifice of service members

Poppies are affixed to wreaths during a Memorial Day ceremony at Leif Hanson Memorial Park in Kenai on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Children hunt for Easter eggs during the Easter Eggstravaganza at Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday.

Easter eggs, bunnies arrive on the Kenai Peninsula

There are plenty of opportunities to grab a photo with the Easter bunny or seek out some eggs

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Children hunt for Easter eggs during the Easter Eggstravaganza at Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday.
A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day parade set for Sunday

The annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, kicks off at 2 p.m.

A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An array of Christmas lights brighten up the night outside the home of Gary Hale in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A season for lights

Residents brighten up the night with elaborate Christmas decorations

An array of Christmas lights brighten up the night outside the home of Gary Hale in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Santa Claus joins children for some hockey action during A Day with the Clauses festivities at Daubenspeck Park in Kenai on Monday.

Skating with Santa

Santa Claus arrived on an ATV and hit the ice himself, skating, playing hockey and greeting children

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Santa Claus joins children for some hockey action during A Day with the Clauses festivities at Daubenspeck Park in Kenai on Monday.
The Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors sits with duffel bags of Christmas gifts donated to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Realtors donate duffel bags in annual tradition

The Students in Transition program serves students experiencing housing instability

The Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors sits with duffel bags of Christmas gifts donated to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Making the most of winter break

Holiday festivities include crafting, caroling, scavenger hunts and a whole lot of Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Jenna Bedford, of Kenai Reindeer Farm, sits next to her reindeer with Juliana Bedford during the Fourth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai on Saturday.

Reindeer on the town

Antlered animals are making appearances at bazaars and holiday events

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Jenna Bedford, of Kenai Reindeer Farm, sits next to her reindeer with Juliana Bedford during the Fourth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai on Saturday.
Santa Claus hugs Paul Cook during Christmas in the Park festivities at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna brings holiday cheer

Christmas in the Park drew hundreds to meet Santa Claus, go on sleigh rides, sip hot cocoa and listen to music

Santa Claus hugs Paul Cook during Christmas in the Park festivities at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus greets Hudson Reinhardt during Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting into the holiday spirit

Christmas arrives in Kenai with fireworks, Santa and a lot of rain

Santa Claus greets Hudson Reinhardt during Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Creating a winter wonderland

Christmas in the Park to bring Santa, sleigh rides, fireworks on Saturday

Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Lamm, Coltin Yancey and Chef Stephen Lamm plate and serve the Thanksgiving meal at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A day to be thankful’

Thanksgiving at the food bank is a community celebration

Jesse Lamm, Coltin Yancey and Chef Stephen Lamm plate and serve the Thanksgiving meal at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas tree cutting on refuge opens Thanksgiving

Tree cutting will be open until Christmas Day

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus waves from the top of a Kenai Fire Department fire engine during the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa, fireworks to return for Christmas Comes to Kenai

Festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m., then run through the day with the parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 7 p.m.

Santa Claus waves from the top of a Kenai Fire Department fire engine during the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Thanksgiving dinners are assembled at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Thanksgiving luncheon draws a crowd at Kenai Senior Center

The Hilcorp-sponsored annual event is an opportunity to gather and eat in celebration of the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners are assembled at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)